Action from learning
By Gary Bourlet
The University of Bristol has published a report on the deaths of 206 people with a learning disability who have died during the coronavirus epidemic…
What’s NEW
What’s NEW
Covid vaccinations and Campaigns about who gets the vaccine first
There is a few different vaccines that are being developed that scientists think will stop you from catching Covid-19. But there are many stages and tests that a vaccine has to go through for us to be sure it is safe and effective. This takes time.
Read more “Covid vaccinations and Campaigns about who gets the vaccine first”
Housing options – ‘Finding our own way home’
By Gary Bourlet, Membership and Engagement Lead – with video interviews from Jodie Williams and Jordan Smith
An Open Letter to Matt Hancock
On Monday we asked Learning Disability England members to sign an open letter to Matt Hanock.
Since then 400 people and organisations have supported the letter!
Long awaited reports on deaths of people with learning disabilities from Covid 19
Two reports last week highlighted the health inequalities that people with learning disabilities face.
Public Health England’s and University of Bristol’s reviews into the deaths of people with learning disabilities from Covid-19, found that they were between 3.6 and 6 times more likely to die of the disease than the general population.
Read more “Long awaited reports on deaths of people with learning disabilities from Covid 19”
Research – The coronavirus pandemic and the lives of people with learning disabilties
Researchers from 12 universities are joining together to do a study on how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the lives of people with learning disabilities in the UK.
It is really important that we hear the experiences of people with learning disabilities because they can get very unwell from Covid-19.
The information that the researchers find out will then be shared with people who can help to make positive changes.
Read more “Research – The coronavirus pandemic and the lives of people with learning disabilties”
Keeping safe from Coronavirus for adults who have Down Syndrome
The Chief Medical Officers from across the UK have said that adults who have Down’s syndrome are to be added to the group of people who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable. This means that they have been classed as at higher risk for coronavirus.
People who are in the clinically extremely vulnerable group are advised to be extra careful in protecting themselves.
Read more “Keeping safe from Coronavirus for adults who have Down Syndrome”
“People making a difference – not out of sight”
Vlog by Gary Bourlet on why we must recognize the achievements of people with learning disabilities, featuring Scott Watkins BEM and Dr Mark Brookes BME. Read more ““People making a difference – not out of sight””
November Update and the latest restrictions
On Saturday, the Prime Minister told us all that there will be national restrictions coming into effect from this Thursday, 5 November.
They will last for at least a month.
We have been talking to members and the Representative Body about what the most important things are for us to be doing during this time.
We have been thinking about our work around coronavirus now that the DHSC COVID-19 grant has ended.
Learning Disability England will continue to bring members, partners and our networks together to influence policy, work with policy makers and campaign where necessary.
There are some specific things we will be doing over the coming weeks:
Visiting during COVID
The issue about being able to visit loved ones – or to have visitors and get out and about to see friends and family – is taxing and vexing all of us.
This is even more true now a further lockdown has been announced in England from this Thursday.
Members told us in the recent visiting survey just how complicated this issue is for so many people.